OUCH! Free Content gets hurt by enabled Ad Blockers

Microsoft’s Windows Mobile Marketplace hadn’t launched at press time — it’s expected to open this fall with more than 600 applications — but apps for Windows Mobile 6.1 are available from a number of sources.

Windows Mobile Catalog is one such site where you can browse apps sorting by device and operating system, within categories that include business and office productivity, games and entertainment, networking and communication, and enterprise solutions.

Browsing the categories, you’ll see the name of the app, a screenshot, the distributor, the developer, and popularity based on number of downloads. When you click on a desired app, the page displays system requirements and language and region availability. If the option to “buy it now” is available, clicking the icon will take you to the distributor’s site, where you can buy it after creating a user account. If the “buy it now” icon is not available, visit the developer’s site to make your purchase.

The interface and process is intuitive, making browsing and shopping quite enjoyable and quick.

Time-Savers

VISKEEPER PROFESSIONAL

Developer: Sfr Gmbh

Free

For the mobile professional always on the go, this app provides a secure repository, much like an old-fashioned safe, for confidential data like bank information, passwords and online accounts. You have the option of securing the app by way of picture, text or pin access. The interface is tidy and intuitive, organized by a hierarchy of folders to which you can add entries and create new folders as per provided templates. There is a keyword search function, and you can also create additional safes on your mobile.

Spb SCREENSHOT

Developer: Spb Software Ltd.

Free

This no-frills app is useful for snapping screenshots on your pocket pc. It’s easy to use with clear instructions. There are two basic two options for making screenshots. The first is for a one-time snapshot. The other option is for a series of however many snapshots you want to make at the press of a preselected button on the device. You can choose the length of delay in seconds before the shot is taken to give you time to find the document or web page you want to preserve. Screenshots are automatically deposited in the my documents folder.

DASHWIRE

Developer: Dashwire Inc.

Free

This free panel is a great way to manage your mobile on the web, via an interface that lays out your contacts, calls, text messages, photos and videos, all synchronized wirelessly without having to connect any cables. The web interface shows any changes to the aforementioned items, allowing you to view them in one glance. You can even interact with your mobile via the web interface by doing things like making calls and sending text messages. The recipient won’t know the difference. And, any changes made in the webb interface are reflected on your mobile. It’s great if you happen to forget your device at home but have web access.

Time-Waster

BOOKWORM DELUXE

Developer: Astraware

Free

This free app is extremely diverting and addictive. It’s a bit like scrabble in that you must string adjacent letter tiles to form words. The longer the words, the more points you earn. You also get bonus points by using special tiles as they become available, but beware the flaming tiles that will burn down the library if you don’t use them fast enough! And, there is a greater goal than just amassing points; you climb the library succession ladder from encyclopedia salesman to trainee to clerk to scribe and so on with the passing of each level. Great interface.

Waste Of Time

SAT ORBITER LOCATOR 2.00

Developer: Survivorsoft

Trial app $2.99

Nice graphics and an interesting concept that is initially amusing until you start wondering whether you are being duped. The app is supposed to tell you the real-time trajectory of certain spatial objects. It indicated, for instance, the precise latitudinal and longitudinal position of the mars exploration rovers, opportunity and spirit. It also showed the international space station floating somewhere over the middle east, that the cassini spacecraft has now travelled 3,418 billion kilometres, and the hubble telescope is just passing over south asia at an altitude of 553 kilometres. And let’s not forget the location of the next asteroid that will impact earth, which of course, is not available in this trial version. While amusing, this information, even if it had been accurate, is not tangible enough to be useful to the average mobile user.